Watch.



FREDERICK W. KOPP AND WILLIAM RUNNING, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

WATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N ov. 17, 1914.

Application filed ,Tune 18, 1918. Serial No. 774.257.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, FREDERICK IW. Kerr, subject of the Czar of Russia, and TWILLIAM RUNNING, citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vatches, of which the following is a speciiication, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

Our invention has general reference to a watchconstruction and more especially to improvements upon certain component parts thereof. j

One object has been the provision of a balance-wheel cock of suoli configuration that it will insure conjunctive advantages in its relation to other parts which it adjoins.

Another object has been the reduction in the number of certain primary parts, the rearrangement of others whereby a larger proportion ofy space within a given case may be utilized for those parts which are universally essential as well as what few we have seen fit to add thereto.

A final obj-ect is the provision of a watch movement which necessitates few even slight changes of individual parts and hence is sufficiently simple and economical of manufacture, which is adapted for both hunting and open-face cases, lever or pendant-set and which permits of reduction to ladysized cases and their requisite delicate workmanship.

As is thoroughly appreciated by all jewelers, the insertion or removal of balance wheel cocks is rather a delicate procedure owing to the attendant likelihood of fracturing the pivot of the balance staff. Such balance wheel bridges or cocks must in almost all instances be removed priorI to an inspection or repair of other parts disposed beneath the plane thereof and consequently the removal of this particular member is very frequently required. Our particular balance wheel cock as shown in the drawing is not only of the maximum thickness so as to extend deep into the case and abut the plate below but is provided as well with an elongated curved extension constituting an arc of a circle and approaching near its extremity the direction of projection of the balance bridge portion proper. Our style of bridge furthermore has two edge surfaces transverse with respect to the annular rim of the case and these are adapted to form a close mechanical fit with other complementary bridge members which are likewise of maximum thickness. It will be seen, therefore, that in order to affect the removal of a balance wheel cock embodying our invention it becomes necessary to lift it straight out, that is in a direction perpendicular with the plane of the case, the extension serving in the meantime as a guide in Contact with the inner surface of the latter. It is this restraint in the manner of insertion or removal which is adapted to preclude lateral strain upon the pivot of or injury to the balance staff. Vhen the entire movement is withdrawn from the case, preparatory to examination, the arcuate extension effectuallyr serves to protect the balance wheel from the repairers fingers.

The supporting structure or frame constituting as assembled the circular body of the mechanism which is to be lifted into the particular sized case (#16 or smaller) comprises only three bridge members and these are complementary of each other. Each of these three supporting or bridge members is provided with an arcuate rim and the extent of the respective rims is unequal. The balance-wheel cock explained in the previous paragraph is one of these three bridge members. The other two, hereinafter styled barrel and train bridges, abut the transverse end surfaces of the balance wheel cock throughout their entire depth or thickness whereas they do not themselves abut. The formation of the outer surfaces of the arcuate rims of these three bridge members is such that they obviate the necessity for a special dust band. Incidentally a simpler and more rigid and tight fit therebetween is assured.

The inventive conception is embodied in means which are hereinafter explained and variously combined in the claims, while the annexed drawing and particular description thereof together set forth in detail one speciiic means constituting our invention, the disclosed means however, being but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of our invention may be applied.

In the annexed drawing Figure I. is a plan view on double scale, of a watch embodying our invention with the back cover of the case removed. Fig. II. is a similar view showing three additional members removed. Fig. TTI. is an end view of Fig. TT. with the case removed, another part cut away, and looking to the right. Fig. TV. is an end view of F ig. I. with the case removed and looking in the same direction. Fig. V. is av view of Fig. Il. with the case removed and looking upwardly.

The construction comprises in this iny stance a standard circular open-face case A, having a stem al and a ring c2 secured thereto. The vinding bar, winding pinion, crown wheel and ratchet click, while essential, need not be shown here. The case A. is provided, as is customary, with an interiorly projecting annular flange (not seen) against which the interior mechanism proper is adapted to be seated. The usual pillar plate B of circular form precisely fits and overlies this iange. The pillar plate B is provided with a central opening and supports on its outer face the dial. The three bridge members have complementarily arcuate outer rims forming together a peripheral surface slightly smaller than the peripheral surface of the plate B, and are intended to be secured not only to the latter but relative to the case A. This fastening with respect to the case is affected through the medium of two nearly oppositely disposed case-screws and c4. The thickness of the balance-wheel and train bridges which T have designated respectively as D and E, is the same, and such that in addition to the thickness of the pillar' plate B the whole may lie within the planes of the front and back surface of the case A. The barrel bridge C is somewhat less thick.

The bridge C is of the largest arcuate extent as will be apparent from an inspection 0f Fig. H, and since of slightly reduced thickness is somewhat depressed with respect to the other two bridges when disposed in similar manner contiguous to the plate B. A top or cover plate which T have designated with the reference character F has an arcuate edge corresponding with the arcuate edge of the barrel bridge C, and is of a thickness such that when superimposed upon the latter it will lie Hush with the upper surface of the bridges D and E. The barrelbridge C and cover plate F are each provided with three registering steady-pin holes c1 and f1 respectively, through which securing screws f2 are adapted to extend as shown in Fig. l. The bridge C and plate F are provided at one corresponding end with alined side edge surfaces o2 and f3.

The ccckD as already stated is in fact a balance wheel bridge secured to the pillar plate B by means of a screw cli, and comprises an inwardly projecting bridge portion proper cl2, arcuate extension d3, and side edge surfaces Z4 and d5. The line of projection of the edge surface Z5 corresponds with andl aibuts as a close mechanical fit the ance staff (Z6.

two edge surfaces c2 and f3. Passing through a suitable opening near the extremity of the balance wheel bridge proper (Z2 is a bal- This staff supports a hairspring and balance wheel combination d?. A regulatory fast and slow device designated entire as ZS is shown disposed upon the upper surface of the balance wheel bridge and since long in vogue requires no specific description.

The bridge E, while having its actuate rim of the maximum thickness earlier ex plained has its upper surface depressed or cut away to form a plurality of peep spaces as seen in Figs. l, Il and V. One side edge el of the member being of maximum thickness abuts the edge d* as clearly seen in Figs. I, IV and V. The peep spaces of the member E three in number and extend from the inner surface of its rim inwardly inthe general direction of the balance wheel bridge D. They are in fact elongated slots to forni three ancillary bridges c2, e3, and e4. The support E is secured to the pillar plate B by four screws each designated as e5. @ne of these screws passes through each of the subsidiary bridges c2, c3 and c4 Whereas the fourth secures that end of the train bridge E nearest the edge el. Each of the subsidiary bridges has a shaft mounted upon its inner extremity so as to extend between it and `the plate B. These shafts are designa-ted respectively e6, e7 and es, and their purpose even though anticipated will hereinafter more clearly appear.

A main-spring arbor G, suitably jeweled, is supported in an upright position between plates B and F and nearest the barrel bridge A main-spring barrel g1 of any approved forni is mounted upon the arbor G.

andlfixed upon the latter is a winding wheel having gear 'teeth g2. Operatively connected to the barrel g1 and to the arbor is the main-spring, which should be heavier, that is thicker' in proportion to its usual length. Tnasmuch as nothing new is claimed for the mode of securing such main-spring, it is not required that it be here shown. A shaft H is similarly supported as the arbor G and some distance from it, This shaft carries the pinion tl adapted to mesh withr the teeth g2, and lying above the pinion itl is a gear wheel 7b2 having gear teeth k3. Still another shaft J is similarly supported beyond the shaft H and somewhatnearer the balance wheel bridge D. This shaft supports the pinion jl adapted to lie in mesh with the gear h2, while underneath this pinion jl is a gear wheel y'2 having teeth jg. The usual center wheel shaft K is mounted in the center of the case and likewise supports a pinion 701 which is in mesh with the gear jg. Above the pinion 701 is the center wheel itself 7a2 having peripheral teeth 7c3. The opposite extremity of the shaft K, has mounted exteriorly of the dial the hour hand lo* and minute hand 725 whose connection through the medium of center and cannon pinions respectivelyv it is not necessary vto explain, since universally employed in order to effect the proper rotational relationshipv therebetween.

As will now be apparent from what has gone before, the gears h2 and '7'2 comprise the intermediary connection between the mainspring barrel and center wheel of our watch and as constructed rkwith regard to the tension of the main-spring are calculated to make possible the continuous rotation of the center wheel for a period of eight days or more. The speed of lrotation of the center wheel is controlled by the customary train of limiting mechanism tobe now described. The shaft e supports what is known as the third 'gear wheel L and a pinion Z1 shown dotted, in Fig. II. as being in mesh with the teeth cg on the center wheel. The shaft eT similarly supports the fourth or what is in reality the second-hand wheel M and also in dotted lines a pinion adjacent thereto which is logically implied as in mesh with gear L. So also the shaft es supports the escapement wheel N of usual construction and adjacent to it a smaller pinion likewise dotted and in mesh with the second-hand wheel M.

Fig. I. clearly depicts a forked lever O. This lever is operatively connected t0 articulate with the balance-wheel staff el and at its opposite end with the usual impulse and locking pallets adapted to successively release and arrest the escape wheel N.

As will now be readily understood by all sufiiciently conversant with the art, the gear wheels L and M together with the escapernent wheel N and lever O connecting` the latter with the balance wheel (Z7 constitute the limiting train or escapement mechanism which ultimately prescribes the speed of rotation of the minute and hour hands.

The operation of the watch which has been described is as follows: It being assumed that the main-spring, whose outer end is attached to the spring barrel and whose inner end is made fast either to the barrel arbor or the hub of the winding wheel, has been wound; and winding wheel which is fixed to the barrel arbor caused to turn in consequence; the other parts will be successively actuated in this wise. The winding wheel g2 indirectly rotates the gear h2 through the medium of pinion h1 which in turn rotates indirectly through the medium of another pinion jl the gear wheel jg, and this last mentioned gear wheel meshes with the center pinion to tend to rotate it and hence the center wheel. This center wheel is controlled however, by the restraining or limiting train so called which train comprises a third wheel L whose pinion is in mesh with the center wheel 702., also a fourth wheel or as it happens the second-hand wheel the escapement wheel N with its pinion, the forked lever C) and finally the balance wheel (Z7 with its regulatory mechanism. The tendency of the wheels L and N is, of course, to turn the escapement wheel. This latter is hindered, however, by the successive swings of the pallet jewels in their engagement with the escape teeth thereon. The swinging of the forked lever operates to turn the balance sta and deflect the hairspring connected therewith. This latter on reacting carries the balance wheel in the opposite direction. The frequency of the balance vibrations is thereafter determined by the resistance which the hair-spring is made to offer.

It should be appreciated that the disposition of the various parts of our watch mechanism is such as to utilize more completely the space available between the planes of opposite sides of a standard watch case; as to leave open to inspection but slightly less than half of the area encompassed by the case; and as to inclose and hence protect, when lifted from the case, certain of the more delicate parts. These desired results are brought about in a measure by the nicety of lit between the balance-wheel and other bridges.

`Our invention being thus described with sufficient thoroughness, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent and therefore claim specifically, is:

l.. A, watch comprising theI combination of a watch-case, plates adjacent opposite sides thereof, a plurality of members forming together a major portion of an annular rim, and a balance-wheel bridge contiguous each of said plates and forming the complementary portion of such rim, said bridge having edge surfaces transverse with respect to the plane of said case and extending inwardly from its own rim, different of saiemembers having corresponding edge surfaces adapted to coincide with the edge surfaces of said bridge respectively, for the useful purpose specified.

2. A watch comprising the combination of a plurality of bridges forming together a portion of an annular rim, one of said bridges having an end surface extending inwardly from its own rim portion, said surface being transverse with respect to the plane of the watch, a balance-wheel bridge interposed between said other bridges and having a side surface conforming to and abutting said first mentioned surface, said balance-wheel bridge furthermore fashioned with an arcuate surface forming the complementary portion of said annular rim.

3. A watch comprising the combination with a case, of a plurality of members forming together a portion of an annular rim llSO conforming to and abutting the inner rim of said case, of a balance-wheel bridge disposed in the same plane as and forming another portion of such rim, one of said members and bridge having adjacent edges projecting inwardly a considerable distance and contiguous, whereby said bridge may be withdrawn without injury to its staff.

it. A watch comprising the combination of a plurality of bridges forming together the major portion of an annular rim, a balance-wheel bridge interposed between and haring one part projecting toward such major riin portion and contiguous with a similarly projecting edge of one of said first mentioned bridges, said balance-wheel bridge furthermore provided with an elongated arcuate eXtension forming another portion of said rim and having an edge surface contiguo-us with the proximate edge surface of another of said first mentioned bridges, whereby said balance-wheel bridge must be withdrawn in the direction of projection of its staff.

5. A watch comprising the combination with a watch-case having a dial plate, of a bridge member contiguous to said plate, a balance-wheel bridge contiguous to said plate, said balance-wheel bridge having an arcuate rim of maximum thickness with respect to the depth of said watch-case, said bridge member and balance-wheel bridge having adjacent edge surfaces transverse with respect to the plane of said plate eX- tending inwardly relative to said rims and adapted to abut as a close mechanical fit, whereby the balance-wheel bridge may be withdrawn without injury to the balance stai.

6. A watch comprising the combination with a plurality of members forming to.- getlier a portion of an annular rim, of a balance-wheel bridge disposed in the same pla-ne as and forming another portion of such rim, said balance-wheel 4bridge having transverse edge surfaces extending inwardly in different directions from such rim, a pair of said members having corresponding edge surfaces adapted to abut the aforementioned surfaces respectively, whereby the plane of the balance-wheel bridge is held parallel to the plane of the case while being withdrawn for the useful purpose specified.

7. A watch comprising the combination with awatch case having a dial plate, of a plurality of bridge members contiguous said plate, said members having complementary arcuate rim surfaces transverse with respect to the plane of said plate, one of said members having a pair of edge surfaces correspondingly transverse and extending at an angle relatively to each other, a distinct pair of said members each having an edge surface transverse with respect to the plane of said plate and` coinciding with one of said rst mentioned surfaces respectively, said coinciding surfaces being adapted to abut inwardly beyond said rims, whereby the balance-wheel bridge is necessarily withdrawn without injury to the balance stati' thereof.

8. A watch comprising the combination of a watch case having a pillar plate, a bridge member contiguous to said plate and having an elongated side edge surface transverse with respect to lthe plane of said plate, a cover plate for such bridge member having a corresponding side edge in the same transverse plane as Said first mentioned side edge, and a balance cock contiguous to said pillar plate and flush with the said cover plate, said cock having an arcuate extension conforming to the rim of said case and also having a side edge corresponding to and abutting aid combined edges, whereby said cock must be withdrawn transversely to the plane of the case for the full eXtent of its staff for the useful purpose specified.

Signed by us, this 16th day of June, 1913.

FREDERCK W7. KOPP. VJILLAM RUNNING. Witnesses CURT B. MUELLER, G. C. FALK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents'.

Washington. D. C. 

